Friday, October 25, 2013 8:45 AM

“Psi Map” Streamlining Data in Parapsychology.

What is A Psi Map? A “psi map” is a suggested database that can be used to study- psi phenomena; its occurrence, frequency, and distribution all over the world. A psi map can expose relationships and aspects of psi phenomena within regions (physical and cultural boundaries) and over time, distribution of events across regions and over time (from ancient history until modern era).

Organizing the scientific study of psi phenomena: There have been many advances but also setbacks in the history of parapsychological research. The scientific study of paranormal phenomena began more than one hundred years ago with founding of the Society for Psychical Research in 1882 by British researchers. (Ireland, 2011). The field of parapsychology is young when compared with the history of general science, but we have many advances. There are now an increased number of people who believe in the existence of psi. (Bauer, 1984).

The findings from 131 years of scientific research in parapsychology can be summarized as followed: A- Theoretical Bases: 1- Establish of scientific concepts and terminologies. 2- Suggestions for multiple theories that try to explain psi phenomena. B- Practice and Methodology: 1- Development of multiple research methods and approaches for the scientific study of psi phenomena. 2- Grounding of the PA and other societies to encourage the exchange of information from the scientific study of psi all over the world. (Xiong, 2010).

But there are still challenges that face the scientific study of psi phenomena, Those challenges can be summarized as follows: 1. Parapsychology involves the study of complex and open systems. 2. Parapsychology faces difficulties in generating and testing theory-based hypotheses. (Robert, 2000). 3. There is no general agreement about the basic theory (or theories) that explains psi phenomena as a whole. This may be because there is no general agreement about scientific principles (laws) that control the aspects of psi phenomena. 4. There is no general agreement about the nature of basic concepts in the psi field. There are unanswered questions such as the following: Consciousness--is it a force or energy? Dualism about the nature of the mind and brain--is it dualism or another new thing in general? 5. There is no complete, clear picture that can be used to describe psi as global phenomena. 6. There is no general agreement about what emotions and/or factors (social and physical) drive (arouse) psi experiences and repeal the barriers between seen and unseen world. 7. There is no statistical map to present information about psi aspects (where they appeared and what their significance is).

Therefore, if we affirm the efforts of great leaders and founders in the field of parapsychology, we will find that they gave us the cornerstone for establishing the “building” of parapsychology as a more recognized and accepted science. We should now ask ourselves what we could do to add another stone to this building.What can a psi map project do? A psi map project can have the following functions: 1. Establish a global database for gathering all significant studies that have completed and verified. 2. Survey, collect, and analyze global cases in a neutral setting. (This would be different from isolated lab studies being done in an artificial atmosphere with small samples.) 3. Distribute random number generator (RNGs) devices globally to test the type of mind matter communication: Is it mind ￫ matter, or mind=matter? Where and why? What is the size of the population being studied in mind--matter interaction and/or among psi aspects? 4. Act as a centralized point for follow-up study so we can develop a continuous process for gathering, comparing, and analyzing data on a global scale.

A psi map could serve as a centralized point to collect research data. The findings revealed through a psi map could help us understand how much: We can “generalize” psi phenomena. That is, with all of the aspects psi phenomena, what is the ability/to what extent can we communicate beyond usual, normal channels?

There are many reasons behind the importance and the aim of mapping psi. The suggested project would: Serve as a collaborative, multidisciplinary research effort that utilizes many specialists who can help recognize the phenomena more closely; this would help to establish a more general and comprehensive theory. An international project with multiple branches may help us to better control the study of psi phenomena that is happening across the globe. We may begin to curtail the problem of incomplete understanding of psi phenomena due to not only, a lack of communication across studies that are happening in different parts in the world, but also the disability to conduct psi studies in some parts of the world.

In addition, a global survey across cultures may give us significant statistics from neutral variables that drive psi. This may help us discover some primary principles (laws) to govern parapsychology, thereby expanding the application of parapsychological science.

A qualitative analysis of the data from the psi map could help draw a clearer picture about the aspects and laws that exist in our universe (with psi being one of those aspects); this can help to create a larger understanding of human nature and the union of humanity. We may also gain a “quality leap” as humankind--if we are sensitive creatures who have the ability to communicate with each other through the “nonphysical” world, why do we keep the wild, bestial, and cruel parts of primitive ages? We need to instill peace and union across humanity for modern and future civilization, a set of values that is against war, violence, oppression and discrimination.

I invite your opinions about this project--any advice, objections, and suggestions for the project’s development, and guidance to carry out the project.

Acknowledgements I would like to thank Annalisa Ventola for her guidance to publish this project on PA blog, then parapsychological social network. In addition, I would like to thank Anastasia Wasko, for her assistance and time to review the language of this proposal, voluntary.

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The Parapsychological Association is an international professional organization of scientists and scholars engaged in the study of psi (or 'psychic') experiences, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, psychic healing, and precognition. The primary objective of the PA is to achieve a scientific understanding of these experiences.

First established in 1957, the PA has been an affiliated organization of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) since 1969. The PA is a non-profit, non-adjudicating organization that endorses no ideologies or beliefs other than the value of rigorous scientific and scholarly inquiry.